Photographic camera system

ABSTRACT

A photographic camera system includes a photo-graphic camera that can successively expose a photo-graphic film in different frame sizes and an automatic printer for automatically printing the processed photographic film exposed with those different frame sizes. The camera varies the width of an exposure opening in the camera body in the film-feed direction and the film is fed a length corresponding to the width of the exposure opening. The photographic camera records an exposure opening position signal indicative of the size of the exposure opening on the photographic film, and the automatic printer automatically prints the photographic film using the exposure opening position signal detected from the photographic film.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a photographic camera system forproducing pictures having various frame sizes, and more particularly toa photographic camera using a specialized photographic film and a filmprinting device for printing the processed photographic film having asuccession of frames of different sizes that have been photographed bythe camera.

[0003] 2. Description of the Background

[0004] The photographic film that is in the most widespread use today is35-mm film (system 135) as provided for by Japanese Industrial Standards(JIS) and International Organization of Standardization (IOS).

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,908 describes a photographic camera and afilm therefor, with the film being of a 35-mm size devoid of sprocketholes of the size used in present 35-mm films and having an effectiveimage area of about 30 mm across the film, thereby providing anincreased effective usable film area.

[0006] More specifically, ignoring dimensional tolerances, present 35-mmfilms for use in general photography have a width of 35 mm betweenopposite longitudinal edges and include a series of film-transportperforations or sprocket holes defined along the opposite longitudinaledges of the film. The film-transport perforations are spaced 25 mmacross the film and have a pitch of 4.75 mm. Frames on such a present35-mm film are of a rectangular shape having a width of 25 mm across thefilm and a length of 36 mm along the film. The frames have a pitch of 38mm, which is eight times larger than the pitch of the film-transportperforations.

[0007] As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,908, some modern photographicfilm cameras are electronically controlled to provide motor-drivenoperation with high accuracy, and it has been experimentally confirmedthat the film can be transported quite accurately without requiring thelarge sprocket wheels and film perforations that are found in mostpresent cameras and films. In the system described in U.S. Pat. No.5,049,908, the film-transport perforations are not present in the 35-mmphotographic film, thereby increasing the available frame width acrossthe film up to the regions where such film-transport perforations werelocated. The proposed film thus has an increased effective image areafor improved image quality. This patent describes four sizes that areavailable for frames that can be exposed on a 35-mm film free offilm-transport perforations.

[0008] According to one size, a frame that can be exposed in aneffective image area of the 35-mm film has a width of 30 mm across thefilm and a length of 40 mm along the film. The frames of such a sizehave a pitch of 42.0 mm, for example. The frame size and pitch areselected to match specifications of the present television broadcastingsystem, for example, the NTSC system. Therefore, the frames have anaspect ratio of 3:4.

[0009] Another frame size described in that patent is based onHigh-Definition Television (HDTV) specifications, in which frames have awidth of 30 mm and a length of 53.3 mm and a pitch of 57.75 mm, forexample. The aspect ratio of the frames having that size is 9:16.

[0010] The above-mentioned frame sizes are full-frame sizes, and theother two frame sizes are half-frame sizes. According to one of thehalf-frame sizes, frames have a width of 30 mm and a length of 22.5 mmand a pitch of 26.2 mm, for example, to match present televisionbroadcasting system specifications. According to the other half-framesize, frames have a width of 30 mm and a length of 16.9 mm and a pitchof 21.0 mm, for example, to match HDTV specifications.

[0011] Film with the above four frame formats is stored in the same filmcartridge as presently available 35-mm film.

[0012] Because the frames in either of the above frame formats have awidth of 30 mm, there are unexposed areas of about 2.5 mm between theframes and along the opposite longitudinal edges of the film. Theseunexposed areas may be used to keep the film flat, control the film, andwrite and read data when taking pictures.

[0013] The proposed camera may be relatively small and lightweight,because it does not require film-transport sprocket wheels.

[0014] Films that are actually collected in processing laboratories areprocessed either simultaneously in a batch or individually. In asimultaneous batch process, several thousand films are processed perhour at a high rate to realize economics of scale for reducing theprinting cost. Specifically, a plurality of exposed films are collectedin the processing laboratory and are spliced end to end to form a long,continuous film strip, which is then stored in a film magazine andsubsequently processed.

[0015] If the films that are spliced into the continuous strip containframes exposed in different frame formats, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,049,908, then the long single film stored in the filmmagazine contains different frame sizes, thereby making printing aproblem.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,774 and 5,066,971 propose cameras capable ofswitching between half and full frame sizes at the time the film isexposed. When film exposed using these proposed cameras is spliced intoa long, single, film strip for simultaneous batch processing, thecontinuous film strip also contains different frame sizes.

[0017] The processing laboratories are therefore required to formnotches indicative of frame centers for automatically printing splicedfilms with different frame sizes after they are developed. For example,as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,591, a human operator manuallynotches a side edge of a spliced film and, hence, the notches arerequired to control the feed of the film. With the disclosed process, itis impossible to process several thousand films per hour, however, thecost of processing exposed film is relatively high. As a consequence,films with different frame sizes may not be accepted by processinglaboratories in Japan.

[0018] Many processing laboratories all over the world also do notaccept films with frames exposed in half size because they do not wantdifferent frame sizes to be contained in a single spliced film that isstored in a single film magazine for subsequent processing and printing.This problem arises because the different frame sizes can be recognizedonly after the film has been developed. One solution would be to applymarking seals to exposed films so that the films of different framesizes thereof can be distinguished and sorted out for individualprocessing and printing. Nevertheless, use of marking seals would notessentially solve the problem, because it would be difficult to supplysuch marking seals consistently over a number of years.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea variable frame size photographic system that can eliminate theabove-noted drawbacks inherent in prior proposed systems.

[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide aphotographic camera that can expose a photographic film in differentframe sizes as desired.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide aphotographic film printer for automatically printing successivephotographic films, even if they contain different frame sizes.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a photographic camera system including a photographic camerahaving a camera body, a first housing disposed in the camera body forhousing a photographic film cartridge, a second housing disposed in thecamera body for housing a photographic film drawn from the photographicfilm cartridge, a film feed device disposed in the camera body forfeeding the photographic film between the first and second housings, anexposure device disposed in the camera body for exposing an exposurearea of the photographic film fed by the film feed device to an image ofa subject between the first and second housings, and a recording devicedisposed in the camera body for recording an exposure position controlsignal indicative of a position where the photographic film is to beexposed by the exposure device on the photographic film. Thephotographic camera system also includes a photographic film printerhaving a printer body, a detecting device disposed on the printer bodyfor detecting the exposure position control signal recorded on thephotographic film, a film feed control device disposed on the printerbody for controlling feeding of the photographic film based on theexposure position control signal detected by the detecting device, and aprinting device disposed on the printer body for varying an openingwidth of a mask that is used to print the image of the subject in theexposure area of the photographic film on a print paper, depending onthe exposure position control signal.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, there isalso provided a photographic camera including a first housing forhousing a photographic film cartridge, a second housing for housing aphotographic film drawn from the photographic film cartridge, a filmfeed device for feeding the photographic film between the first andsecond housings, an exposure device for exposing an exposure area of thephotographic film fed by the film feed device to an image of a subject,and a recording device for recording an exposure position control signalindicative of a position where the photographic film is to be exposed bythe exposure device on the photographic film.

[0024] In another aspect the present invention provides a photographiccamera including a camera body, a first housing disposed in the camerabody for housing a photographic film cartridge, a second housingdisposed in the camera body for housing a photographic film drawn fromthe photographic film cartridge, a film feed device disposed in thecamera body for feeding the photographic film between the first andsecond housings, an exposure device disposed in the camera body forvarying a width in which the photographic film is exposed to an image ofa subject in a direction in which the photographic film is fed by thefilm feed device, between the first and second housings, and a controlunit disposed in the camera body for controlling the film feed device tofeed the photographic film for a length corresponding to an increase inthe width, at least when the width of the frame is increased.

[0025] The present invention in another aspect also provides aphotographic film printer including a printer body, a detecting devicedisposed on the printer body for detecting an exposure position controlsignal recorded on a photographic film, a film feed control unitdisposed on the printer body for controlling feeding of the photographicfilm based on the exposure position control signal detected by thedetecting device, and a printing device disposed on the printer body forvarying an opening width of the mask that is used to print an image of asubject in an exposure area of the photographic film on a print paper,depending on the exposure position control signal.

[0026] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following description ofillustrative embodiments thereof to be read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent thesame or similar objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a 35-mm filmthat has been exposed using a 35-mm photographic camera according to anembodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of another 35-mmfilm that has been exposed using an embodiment of the 35-mm photographiccamera of the present invention;

[0029]FIGS. 3A and 3B are elevational views of 35-mm film cartridgesthat can be used in the 35-mm photographic camera embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0030]FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the 35-mm photographic cameraof the embodiment of the present invention with a rear lid removed;

[0031]FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an inner surface of a rear lid ofthe 35-mm photographic camera of FIG. 4;

[0032]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system used in theembodiment of the 35-mm photographic camera according to the presentinvention;

[0034]FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the camerashown in FIG. 6;

[0035]FIGS. 9A through 9E are fragmentary front elevational viewsshowing the positional relationships of frames exposed on a 35-mm filmusing the embodiment of the 35-mm photographic camera according to thepresent invention;

[0036]FIG. 10 is an elevational view of an automatic printer forprinting on photosensitive paper a 35-mm film exposed using theembodiment of the 35-mm photographic camera according to the presentinvention;

[0037]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control system used in theembodiment of the automatic printer shown in FIG. 10;

[0038]FIGS. 12A and 12B are fragmentary front elevational views showingthe relationship between a 35-mm film and sensors in the automaticprinter shown in FIG. 10;

[0039]FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an operating method that is performed bya microprocessor of the control system shown in FIG. 11;

[0040]FIGS. 14A and 14B are representative of the relative sizes ofnegative-carrier variable slits in the automatic printer;

[0041]FIGS. 15A and 15B are representation showing the relative sizes ofvariable paper masks in the automatic printer;

[0042]FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of a 35-mm photographic camerawith a rear lid removed, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0043]FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view of a 35-mm photographic camerawith a rear lid removed, according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] A 35-mm photographic film 1 that can be used in a 35-mmphotographic camera according to the present invention is described withreference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, in which FIGS. 1 and 2 show 35-mmphotographic film 1 after it has been exposed, and FIGS. 3A and 3B show35-mm photographic film 1 before it is exposed.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the 35-mm photographic film 1 isstored in a film cartridge 16 and has an end extending out of the filmcartridge 16. Images that are photographed on the 35-mm photographicfilm 1 are turned upside down by the lenses, so that the upper end of animage is positioned on a lower portion of the photographic film 1. FIG.3B shows by way of example a photographed image of a subject in brokenlines, which appears to be turned upside down on the photographic film1.

[0046] Each of the photographic films 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3Bhas a series of film position detecting holes 19 defined along anunexposed marginal edge area thereof, which has a width of about 2.5 mm.The film position detecting holes 19 have a diameter of about 1 mm andare spaced at a constant, predetermined pitch. The pitch of the filmposition detecting holes 19 in the photographic film 1 shown in FIG. 1is 5.25 mm, for example, and the pitch of the film position detectingholes 19 in the photographic film 1 shown in FIG. 2 is 6.28 mm.

[0047] Distances by which the different photographic films 1 with thefilm position detecting holes 19 spaced at the pitches of 5.25 mm and6.28 mm are advanced to feed frames of different frame sizes are givenin Table 1 below. TABLE 1 Frame sizes (Width × length) Pitch = 6.28 mmPitch = 5.25 mm NTSC-matched frame 43.96 = 6.28 × 7  42.0 = 5.25 × 8size (30 mm × 40 pitches pitches mm), full size HDTV-matched frame 56.52= 6.28 × 9 57.75 = 5.25 × 11 size (30 mm × 53.3 pitches pitches mm),full size HDTV-matched frame 18.84 = 6.28 × 3  21.0 = 5.25 × 4 size (30mm × 16.9 pitches pitches mm), half size NTSC-matched frame 25.12 = 6.28× 4 26.25 = 5.25 × 5 size (30 mm × 22.5 pitches pitches mm), half size

[0048] The photographic film 1 shown in FIG. 3A has film positiondetecting holes 19 that will be positioned along an upper marginal edgearea after the photographic film is exposed, however, no tongue isprovided at the leading end, so that no tongue-removing process willsubsequently be required. Because no tongue-removing process will berequired, the subsequent processing of the photographic film 1 is lesscostly.

[0049] The photographic film 1 shown in FIG. 3B also has film positiondetecting holes 19 that will be positioned in an upper marginal edgearea thereof after the photographic film is exposed, and has a tongue atits leading end on its lower portion. The tongue at the leading end ofthe photographic film 1 is vertically opposite in position to the tongueof an ordinary 35-mm photographic film that is now generallycommercially available. If a photocoupler is used in a photographiccamera for detecting the film position detecting holes 19, then when thephotographic film 1 is loaded into the photographic camera, the marginaledge with the film position detecting holes 19 is not required to bemanually inserted into the photocoupler, but is automatically insertedinto the photocoupler when the photographic film 1 is wound by a filmtransport mechanism in the photographic camera.

[0050] An embodiment of a photographic camera that can use thephotographic films 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B is shown anddescribed with reference to FIGS. 4 through 8. FIG. 4 is a rearelevation of the photographic camera with the rear lid or removed. Thelid is shown in FIG. 5. The photographic camera has a dark box 4including a cartridge housing 17 for housing the film cartridge 16,which is of a known structure, an exposure opening 7 near the cartridgehousing 17 and through which the photographic film 1 can be exposed tolight passing through a camera lens, aperture, and shutter not shown inFIG. 4, and a film housing 18 for housing the photographic film 1 afterit has been exposed.

[0051] The photographic film 1 that is unwound from the film cartridge16 housed in the cartridge housing 17 is fed over the exposure opening 7while being transversely limited in motion by upper and lower respectivepairs of film guides 30, 31, and is then moved into the film housing 18after being exposed.

[0052] The film housing 18 has a guide roller 32 for automaticallysetting or loading the photographic film 1, and a film takeup spool 9rotatable by a motor, shown at 10 in FIG. 7, for winding the exposedphotographic film 1 thereon.

[0053] The photographic camera has a light-emitting diode (LED) 5 apositioned between the lower film guides 30, 31 for detecting the filmposition detecting holes 19, and a photodetector, shown in FIG. 5 at 5b, disposed on a pressure plate of the rear lid and positioned inregistry with the LED 5 a across the photographic film 1. Thephotodetector 5 b has a diameter of 1.5 mm, for example.

[0054] The LED 5 a emits infrared radiation having a wavelength of 940nm, which is different from those radiation wavelengths to which thephotographic film 1 is sensitive. Referring to FIG. 7, the LED 5 a andthe photodetector 5 b jointly make up a hole sensor 5 that applies anoutput signal to a counter in a system controller 8 that comprises amicrocomputer. In this way, the system controller 8 can recognize theposition of the photographic film 1 over the exposure opening 7. The LED5 a and the photodetector 5 b may be alternatively replaced with aphotocoupler that also comprises an LED and a photodetector but whichare positioned in confronting relationship, as described hereinbelow.

[0055] In FIG. 4, the exposure area opening 7 has its size defined byleft and right movable masks 15 that are laterally movable over thewidth of the exposure opening 7 from opposite sides thereof. The size ofthe exposure opening 7 in the longitudinal direction of the photographicfilm 1 can selectively be changed to four different dimensions of 53.33mm, 40.00 mm, 22.5 mm, and 16.90 mm as indicated by the four pairs ofbroken lines in FIG. 4.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the left and right movable masks 15are retractable into left and right side walls, respectively, that arepositioned on opposite sides of the exposure opening 7 and extendsubstantially perpendicularly to the photographic film 1 as it extendsover the exposure opening 7. As shown in FIG. 7, two linear toothed bars33 are attached to the respective lower edges of the movable masks 15and held in mesh with respective drive feed gears 34 of a gearbox 35,much like a rack and pinion assembly. When the gears 34 of the gearbox35 are driven to rotate the linear toothed bars 33, and hence themovable masks 15, are linearly moved over the exposure opening 7.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the photographic camera has a framesize setting switch 6 which can manually be turned by the user of thecamera to produce a command signal indicative of a selected frame sizewhich is one of the frame sizes described above in Table 1. When theuser selects a frame size with the frame size setting switch 6, theframe size setting switch 6 applies a command signal to the systemcontroller 8, which then supplies a control signal to achieve thedesired frame size through a stepping motor driving circuit 13 to astepping motor 14. The stepping motor 14 is energized to rotate the feedgears 34 to move the movable masks 15. At the same time that the movablemasks 15 move, the hole sensor 5 produces and supplies a detected filmposition signal to the system controller 8, which processes the suppliedfilm position signal to generate a control signal. The system controller8 then supplies the control signal through an amplifier 36 to a motor10, which rotates the film spool 9 to take-up the photographic film 1over a predetermined length.

[0058] At this time, the length over which the photo graphic film 1 isdriven corresponds to the distance that is determined by the frame sizesetting switch 6. The feeding of the photographic film 1 is describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 9A through 9E, which show examples inwhich the hole pitch is 6.28 mm and the photographic film 1 is to beexposed in an HDTV-matched full-frame size of 30 mm×53.3 mm and anNTSC-matched full-frame size of 30 mm×40 mm.

[0059]FIG. 9A shows a portion of the photographic film 1 as it isexposed in successive NTSC-matched full frames. When the photographicfilm 1 is fed for seven pitches of the holes 19, a frame area of 30mm×40 mm is made available for exposure through the exposure opening 7.To switch from an NTSC-matched full-frame size to an HDTV-matchedfull-frame size, the photographic film 1 is fed for eight pitches of theholes 19, as shown in FIG. 9B, to make a frame area of 30 mm×53.3 mmavailable for exposure through the exposure opening 7. To expose thephotographic film 1 in successive HDTV-matched full frames, thephotographic film 1 is fed for nine pitches of the holes 19, as shown inFIG. 9C, to make a frame area of 30 mm×53.3 mm available for exposurethrough the exposure opening 7. To switch from an HDTV-matchedfull-frame size to an NTSC-matched full-frame size, the photographicfilm 1 is fed for eight pitches of the holes 19, as shown in FIG. 9D, tomake a frame area of 30 mm×40 mm available for exposure through theexposure opening 7.

[0060] To change frame sizes, the system controller 8 controls the motor10 as follows: When switching from an NTSC-matched full-frame size to anHDTV-matched full-frame size, the photographic film 1 is first drivenfor seven pitches of the holes 19 and is then driven for one additionalhole pitch. When switching from an HDTV-matched full-frame size to anNTSC-matched full-frame size, the photographic film 1 is first drivenforward for nine pitches of the holes 19 and is then driven backward forone pitch.

[0061] When changing frame sizes, the photographic film 1 may be drivenfor a different distance or a different number of pitches, such as tenpitches of the holes 19, as shown in FIG. 9E. In this manner, thephotographic film 1 may be easily exposed in many different frame sizes.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 9A through 9E, the system controller of thephotographic camera controls the feeding of the photographic film 1 suchthat the photographic film 1 will not be exposed in overlapping frames,even when different frame sizes are exposed.

[0063]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the photographic film 1 whose effectiveexposure areas have been exposed in frames 3 of different sizes. In FIG.1, the photographic film 1 has been exposed in an HDTV-matchedfull-frame size, having a width of 30 mm, a length of 53.3 mm, andaspect ratio of 9:16, and in an NTSC-matched full-frame size, having awidth of 30 mm, a length of 40 mm) whose aspect ratio is 3:4. The holes19 defined along the upper marginal edge of the photographic film 1 havea pitch of 5.25 mm.

[0064] In FIG. 2, the photographic film 1 has also been exposed in anHDTV-matched full-frame size and an NTSC-matched full-frame size,however, unlike FIG. 1, the holes 19 defined in the upper marginal edgeof the photographic film 1 have a pitch of 6.28 mm. In FIG. 2, one frameof an HDTV-matched full-frame size corresponds nine pitches of the holes19, and one frame of an NTSC-matched full-frame size corresponds sevenpitches of the holes 19. Since these pitches are odd-numbered, a hole 19may be positioned in alignment with the center of the frame, so that thecenter of the frame can easily be detected.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the photographic camera has a shutterrelease button 37. When the shutter release button 37 is depressed, thesystem controller 8 controls the size of the exposure area and suppliesa control signal to a mark recording circuit 38 for recording a centralmark, a so-called effective exposure area position signal, indicative ofthe center of the frame 3 and also supplies a control signal to a framenumber recording circuit 39 for recording a frame number. The markrecording circuit 38 energizes an LED 40 positioned at the lowerfilm-guide pair 30, 31 for recording a central mark 40 a, shown in FIGS.1 and 2, representing the center of the exposed frame 3. The framenumber recording circuit 39 energizes an LED 41 positioned at the lowerfilm guide pair 30, 31 for recording a frame number 41 a, shown in FIGS.1 and 2, representing the frame number of the exposed frame 3. The framenumber 41 a can be recorded such that it agrees with an actual framenumber.

[0066] The system controller 8 also supplies a control signal to a framesize recording circuit 11 for recording a frame size signal, a so-calledeffective exposure area width signal, indicative of the frame size ofthe exposed frame 3. The frame size recording circuit 11 energizes anLED 12 positioned at the lower film guide pair 30, 31 for recording aframe size signal 12 a, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0067] The LED 12 may be composed of four LED elements which areselectively energized to record one of frame size signals 12 a, whichrepresent the frame size set by the frame size setting switch 6. Thevarious frame size signals 12 a are shown by way of example in Table 2below. TABLE 2 Frame Size Frame size signal 12a HDTV-matched full-framesize |||| NTSC-matched full-frame size ||| NTSC-matched half-frame size|| HDTV-matched half-frame size |

[0068] The central mark 40 a and the frame size signal 12 a supplyinformation regarding the frame position and the frame size to anautomatic printer, described hereinbelow, for controlling the automaticprinter when the exposed and processed film is printed.

[0069] While frame sizes can be recognized by measuring the distancesbetween adjacent central marks 40 a when the exposed film is printed,the processing speed of the automatic printer can be increased by usingthe frame size signal 12 a.

[0070] At the same time that the photographic film 1 is exposed, thesystem controller 8 supplies an information signal to an informationrecording circuit 42 for recording desired information. The informationrecording circuit 42 energizes an LED 43 positioned at the upper filmguide pair 30, 31 for recording such information 43 a on the lowermarginal edge, shown in see FIGS. 1 and 2, of the photographic film 1.The information 43 a may be information that is supplied from the cameralens and the camera itself upon exposure or could consist of theexposure date, the person who took the picture, an exposure condition,or other information that the user has entered through an input device44, such as a keypad, on the outer surface of the rear lid of the camerabody 10. The amount of information 43 a, that is, the number ofcharacters that can be recorded, is dependent upon the frame size, andis displayed on a display panel 44 a of the input device 44. The LED 43has a number of LED elements that are selectively energized depending-onthe frame size.

[0071] An analysis has been made to determine the optimum position wherethe information 43 a should be recorded and the optimum position wherethe holes 19 are defined from the standpoints of the user's convenienceand a psychological effect that those positions have on the user. Theresults of the analysis are as follows:

[0072] (1) If marginal edges outside of the effective exposure area ofthe film are available as a band for recording user's information, thenthe information should more preferably be positioned on the lowermarginal edge of the print paper, rather than on the upper marginaledge.

[0073] (2) Study of the developing and printing processes in processinglaboratories indicates that in many cases information about the filmitself is printed-in many cases on film negatives, such that the filminformation will be positioned on the upper marginal edge of the printpaper. It is preferable not to mix the film information and the band forrecording user's information.

[0074] From the above results, it is preferable to position the filmposition detecting holes 19 upwardly of the effective exposure area ofthe film when it is exposed.

[0075] As described above with reference to FIGS. 4 through 7, thephotographic camera according to the present invention has a detectingmeans 5 a, 5 b for detecting the feeding of the photographic film 1, afilm control system 8, 9, 10 for controlling the distance by which thephotographic film 1 moves and for driving the photographic film 1 for alength corresponding to the width of the selected exposure opening 7,based on a detected signal from the detecting means 5 a, 5 b, and forcontrolling a signal recording device 8, 11, 12, 38, 40 disposed nearthe exposure opening 7 for recording a signal indicative of the positionof the exposure opening 7 on the photographic film 1 when thephotographic film 1 is exposed through the exposure opening 7.

[0076] After the photographic film 1 is exposed using the photographiccamera, the processed photographic film 1 bears control signals that arerecorded in a signal recording area 21, shown in see FIG. 1, thereof andthat will be used when the photographic film 1 is printed. Therefore,even if the developed photographic film 1 contains frames of differentframe sizes, it can be automatically printed by an automatic printerwithout requiring individual adjustment.

[0077] The photographic camera according to the present invention alsohas a film control system 8, 9, 10 for controlling the feeding ordriving of the photographic film 1, and an opening control system 8, 13,14, 15 for varying the width of the exposure opening 7 along thephotographic film 1. At least when the width of the exposure opening 7changes from a smaller dimension to a larger dimension, the film controlsystem 8, 9, 10 drives the photographic film 1 for a lengthcorresponding to the selected width of the exposure opening 7.

[0078] Therefore, the width of the exposure opening 7 is variable, andthe take-up or driving of the photographic film 1 is controlleddepending on the width of the exposure opening 7. The photographiccamera can expose the photographic film 1 successively in desired framesizes which may differ one from another without adjacent framesoverlapping each other.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic film 1 used in thephotographic camera according to the present invention has a signalrecording area 21 located between an effective exposure area 20 and amarginal edge thereof for recording control signals, which will be usedwhen the photographic film 1 is processed and printed. The film 1 alsohas holes 19 defined in an upper marginal edge area thereof between theeffective exposure area 20 and the marginal edge for detecting thedistance by which the photographic film 1 has been moved.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 10, an automatic printer for automaticallyprinting processed photographic film 1 that has been exposed using acamera as described above has a printer body that supports a papersupply reel 45 for supplying the sensitized print paper 46, a paper deckor platen 47 for supporting the print paper 46 supplied from the papersupply reel 45, a variable paper mask 48 for determining the size of aprint paper segment on which an image is to be printed, a paper holderplate 49 for holding the print paper 46 down against the paper deck 47,a paper feed or drive roller 50 for driving the print paper 46, and apaper takeup reel 51 for winding the exposed print paper 46.

[0081] The printer body of the automatic printer also supports a filmsupply reel 52 for supplying the processed photographic film 1, a filmdeck or platen 53 for supporting the photographic film 1 supplied fromthe film supply reel 52, a negative-carrier variable slit 54, a negativeholder plate 55 for positioning the negative down against the film deck53, a film feed or drive roller 56 for driving the photographic film 1,a film takeup reel 57 for winding the exposed and processed photographicfilm 1, a lens 58 positioned above the negative holder plate 55, abellows 59 supporting the lens 58 and positioned below the paper deck47, a lamp 60 disposed below the film deck 53, a black shutter 61positioned above the lamp 60, a filter assembly 62 composed of yellow,magenta, and cyan (Y, M, C) filters, and a diffusion box 63 disposedbetween the filter assembly 62 and the film deck 53.

[0082] The negative holder plate 55 supports a frame size sensor S1 fordetecting the frame size signal 12 a recorded on the photographic film 1and a frame center sensor S2 for detecting the central mark 40 arecorded on the photographic film 1 that indicates the center of aframe.

[0083] Upon detection of the central mark 40 a of the frame 3 with theframe center sensor S2, the film drive roller 56 is controlled to drivethe film to align the frame center with the center of thenegative-carrier variable slit 54. The variable paper mask 48 and thenegative-carrier variable slit 54 are controlled based on the frame sizesignal 12 a that is detected by the frame size sensor S1.

[0084] If the frame size is an HDTV-matched frame size, for example, thenegative-carrier variable slit 54 is set to dimensions as shown in FIG.14A, and the variable paper mask 48 is set to dimensions as shown inFIG. 15A. If the frame size is an NTSC-matched frame size, for example,the negative-carrier variable slit 54 is set to dimensions as shown inFIG. 14B, and the variable paper mask 48 is set to dimensions as shownin FIG. 15B.

[0085] A control system for the automatic printer is shown in FIG. 11,in which the frame size sensor S1 and the frame center sensor S2comprise photocouplers, respectively, for detecting the frame sizesignal 12 a and the central mark 40 a, respectively, that are recordedin the marginal edge area of the photographic film 1.

[0086] The frame center is determined based on the central mark 40 adetected by the frame center sensor S2, and the frame size of the frame3 whose frame center is determined by a microprocessor 64 of the controlsystem based on the frame size signal 12 a that is read by the framesize sensor S1 before the central mark 40 a is detected by the framecenter sensor S2. Then, the microprocessor 64 controls a mask size drivemotor M3 to actuate the variable paper mask 48 to conform with thedetermined frame size. At the same time, the microprocessor 64 controlsa negative-carrier variable slit drive motor M2 to actuate thenegative-carrier variable slit 54.

[0087] Based on the frame size signal 12A read by the frame size sensorS1, the microprocessor 64 controls a film feed motor M1 to rotate thefilm feel roller 56 for feeding the photographic film 1 for apredetermined length. At the same time, the microprocessor 64 controls apaper feed motor M4 to rotate the paper feed roller 50 for therebyfeeding the print paper 46 for a predetermined length.

[0088]FIGS. 12A and 12B show the relationship between the photographicfilm 1, the frame center sensor S2, and the frame size sensor S1 in theautomatic printer. When the photographic film 1 is driven in thedirection indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 12A, a frame size signal 12 ais detected by the frame size sensor S1 before its frame 3 is positionedfor controlling of the driving of the photographic film 1, thenegative-carrier variable slit 54, and the variable paper mask 48. Theframe size signal 12 a is processed by the microprocessor 64, whichdetermines the frame size when the frame center of the frame 3 isdetermined.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the central mark 40A indicative ofa frame center is recorded at each frame on the photographic film 1. Ateach frame, the frame size signal 12 a is recorded ahead of the centralmark 40 a, and the frame number 41 a is recorded behind the central mark40 a with respect to the direction in which the photographic film 1 isdriven.

[0090] While the frame center sensor S2 and the frame size sensor S1 areshown as being located in substantially the same position, only theframe center sensor S2 should be positioned in alignment with the centerof the negative-carrier variable slit 54 and the variable paper mask 48,and the frame size sensor S1 may be positioned on the film deck 53 atthe entrance end thereof.

[0091]FIG. 13 shows a control sequence of the micro-processor 64 forcontrolling the driving of the developed photographic film or negative 1and the driving of the print paper 46. The negative-carrier variableslit 54 and the variable paper mask 48 are also controlled in thiscontrol sequence. The photographic film 1 is continuously driven andtaken up until the central mark 40 a is detected by the frame centersensor S2, an then the photographic film 1 is stopped when the centralmark 40 a is detected by the frame center sensor S2. Until thephotographic film 1 is stopped, the frame size signal 12 a is detectedby the frame size sensor S1 and its number is counted.

[0092] If the frame size signal 12 a represents “3”, the width of thenegative-carrier variable slit 54 is set to 38 mm, and the width of thevariable paper mask 48 is set to 119 mm. Thereafter, the print paper 46is moved, and the photographic film 1 is printed, after which thecontrol sequence is ended. The print paper 46 is moved for a distancecorresponding to printed frame sizes, a blank surrounding the printedframes, and a cutting blank between the printed frames. Usually, a holeis defined in the cutting blank when the photographic film 1 is printed,and serves as a positional signal for automatically cutting the printpaper.

[0093] If the frame size signal 12 a represents “4”, the width of thenegative-carrier variable slit 54 is set to 51 mm, and the width of thevariable paper mask 48 is set to 158 mm. Thereafter, the print paper 46is moved, and the photographic film 1 is printed, after which thecontrol sequence is ended.

[0094] If the frame size signal 12 a represents “1” or “2”, the widthsof the negative-carrier variable slit 54 and the variable paper mask 48are set similarly. Thereafter, the print paper 46 is moved, and thephoto-graphic film 1 is printed, after which the control sequence isended.

[0095] Since the frame size signal 12 a is recorded in the uppermarginal edge portion of the photographic film 1, it may possibly berecognized in error as the central mark 40 a. To avoid such an error, anegative feed sensor S3, shown in FIG. 11, for detecting the distance bywhich the photographic film 1 is fed is associated with the film feedmotor M1, and the distance by which the photographic film 1 is fed ismeasured by a counter 65 whose count is fed back to the microprocessor64. Since the width of the frame size signal 12 a on the photographicfilm 1 can be detected by the distance by which the photographic film 1is driven, the frame size signal 12 a can be distinguished from thecentral mark 40 a or the frame number 41 a.

[0096] As described above with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, theautomatic printer according to the present invention has a film drivecontrol device 65, 64, M1 for detecting an effective exposure areaposition signal 40 a recorded in a marginal edge area between theeffective exposure area 20 on the photographic film 1 and the marginaledge thereof to control the driving of the photographic film 1, and aprinting opening width control device 54, 64, M2 for detecting aneffective exposure area width indicating signal 12 a recorded in themarginal edge area to control the width of the printing opening alongthe photographic film 1.

[0097] The photographic film 1 has an effective exposure area positionsignal 40 a and an effective exposure area width indicating signal 12 awhich are recorded in a marginal edge area between the effectiveexposure area 20 on the photographic film 1 and the marginal edgethereof. After the effective exposure area width indicating signal 12 ahas been detected, the effective exposure area position signal 40 a isdetected. The width of the film exposure opening along the photographicfilm 1, the width of the print paper exposure opening, and the distanceby which the print paper 46 is driven are controlled based on thedetected effective exposure area width indicating signal 12 a, and thedistance by which the photographic film 1 is fed is controlled based onthe detected effective exposure area position signal 40 a.

[0098] Therefore, since the distance by which the photographic film 1 isdriven is controlled based on the effective exposure area positionsignal 40 a recorded in the marginal edge area of the photographic film1 and the width of the printing opening, the width of the print paperexposure opening and the distance over which the print paper 46 isdriven are controlled based on the effective exposure area widthindicating signal 12 a recorded in the marginal edge area of thephotographic film 1, the photographic film 1 can automatically beprinted even if it has a succession of frames of different sizes.

[0099] In the illustrated photographic camera, the LED 5 a and thephotodetector 5 b are disposed in confronting relationship to each otherfor detecting the film position detecting holes 19, however, as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, a photocoupler 66, which is an integral combination ofan LED and a photodetector for detecting a film position, may bedisposed on a film guide 30. The photocoupler 66 may be positionedanywhere on the film guide 30. The photocoupler 66 may have LEDs 41, 40,as shown in FIG. 4, for recording the frame number 41 a and the centralmark 40 a at the same time that the frame is exposed.

[0100] While the hole sensor 5 comprises an LED and a photodetector inthe illustrated photographic camera, the hole sensor 5 may comprise twopairs of an LED and a photodetector given the different distances bywhich frames of different sizes are fed.

[0101] In the illustrated automatic printer, the same photographic filmcontain frames of different sizes, however, the present invention isalso applicable to an automatic printer for automatically printing aspliced length of photographic films with different frame sizes.

[0102] Having described preferred embodiments of the invention withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to those precise embodiments and variouschanges and modifications could be effected by one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photographic system comprising: a photographiccamera, including a camera body, a first housing disposed in said camerabody for housing unexposed photographic film in a cartridge, a secondhousing disposed in said camera body for housing the photographic filmdrawn from said photographic film cartridge, film drive means disposedin said camera body for driving the photographic film between said firstand second housings, exposure area control means disposed in said camerabody for controlling a size of an exposure area of the photographic filmavailable to an image of a subject to be recorded on the photographicfilm, and recording means disposed in said camera body for recording onthe photographic film an exposure position control signal indicative ofa position of the exposure area on the photographic film controlled bysaid exposure area control means; and a photographic film printer forprinting on photosensitive paper processed photographic film recordedusing said photographic camera, including a printer body, a light sourceand variable width mask for exposing the photosensitive paper, detectingmeans disposed on said printer body for detecting said exposure positioncontrol signal recorded on the photographic film by said photographiccamera, processed photographic film drive control means disposed on saidprinter body for controlling driving of the photographic film based onthe exposure position control signal detected by said detecting means,and printing means disposed on said printer body for varying an openingwidth of said variable width mask used to expose the image of thesubject in said exposure area of the photographic film on thephotosensitive paper in response to detecting said exposure positioncontrol signal.
 2. A photographic camera system according to claim 1,wherein said exposure area control means comprises means for varying adimension of the exposure area of the photographic film in a directionin which the photographic film is driven by said film drive means.
 3. Aphotographic camera system according to claim 2, wherein said exposureposition control signal includes an exposure area position signal and anexposure area size signal, and wherein said processed photographic filmdrive control means comprises means for controlling driving of thephotographic film in response to detecting said exposure area positionsignal, and said printing means comprises means for varying said openingwidth of said variable width mask in response to detecting said exposurearea size signal.
 4. A photographic camera system according to claim 2,wherein said means for varying a dimension comprises left and rightmovable masks, mounted on said camera body for respective movement insaid direction of film drive and opposite to said direction.
 5. Aphotographic camera system according to claim 4, wherein said means forvarying further comprises linear gear elements affixed to ends of saidleft and right movable masks cooperating with respective rotary gearsand motor means for rotating said rotary gears to drive said linear gearelements.
 6. A photographic camera system according to claim 5, whereinsaid exposure area control means further includes a frame signal settingswitch for selecting at least two exposure area sizes, and wherein saidmotor means comprises a stepper motor driver for driving said left andright movable masks to at least two predetermined positionscorresponding to said at least two exposure area sizes.
 7. Aphotographic camera system according to claim 6, wherein one of said atleast two exposure area sizes includes an exposure area dimension of53.33 mm.
 8. A photographic camera system according to claim 2, whereinsaid photographic film printer further comprises a negative feed sensorfor detecting a distance the photographic film is driven by said filmdrive control means, and a logic circuit receiving an output of saidnegative feed sensor for determining that said detecting means correctlydetected said exposure position control signal.
 9. A photographic cameracomprising: a first housing for housing a photographic film cartridgecontaining a photographic film strip; a second housing for housing aphotographic film strip drawn from said cartridge; film feed means forfeeding the photographic film between said first and second housings;exposure area control means for producing a control signal fed to saidfilm feed means for controlling a size of an exposure area on thephotographic film fed by said film feed means available to record animage of a subject; and recording means for recording an exposureposition control signal indicative of a position where the photographicfilm is to be exposed by said exposure means on the photographic film.10. A photographic camera according to claim 9, wherein said exposuremeans comprises means for varying a dimension of the exposure area ofthe photographic film is exposed to the image of the subject in adirection in which the photographic film strip is fed by said film feedmeans.
 11. A photographic camera according to claim 10, wherein saidrecording means includes means for producing said exposure positioncontrol signal to include an exposure area position signal and anexposure area size signal.
 12. A photographic camera according to claim11, wherein said recording means includes means for producing saidexposure area position signal to include an exposure area centralposition signal and an exposure area number indicating signal.
 13. Aphotographic camera system according to claim 10, wherein said means forvarying a dimension comprises left and right movable masks, mounted onsaid camera body for respective movement in said direction of film driveand opposite to said direction.
 14. A photographic camera systemaccording to claim 13, wherein said means for varying further compriseslinear gear elements affixed to ends of said left and right movablemasks cooperating with respective rotary gears and motor means forrotating said rotary gears to drive said linear gear elements.
 15. Aphotographic camera system according to claim 14, wherein said exposurearea control means further includes a frame signal setting switch forselecting at least two exposure area sizes, and wherein said motor meanscomprises a stepper motor driver for driving said left and right movablemasks to at least two predetermined positions corresponding to said atleast two exposure area sizes.
 16. A photographic camera systemaccording to claim 6, wherein one of said at least two exposure areasizes includes an exposure area dimension of 53.33 mm.
 17. Aphotographic camera comprising: a camera body; a first housing disposedin said camera body for housing a photographic film cartridge containinga photographic film strip; a second housing disposed in said camera bodyfor housing the photographic film strip drawn from said photo-graphicfilm cartridge; film feed means disposed in said camera body for feedingthe photographic film between said first and second housings; exposuremeans disposed in said camera body for for varying a dimension of anexposure area in which the photographic film is exposed to an image of asubject in a direction in which the photographic film is fed by saidfilm feed means between said first and second housings; and controlmeans disposed in said camera body for controlling said film feed meansto feed the photographic film for a length corresponding to an increasein said dimension at least when said width is increased.
 18. Aphotographic film printer comprising: a printer body; detecting meansdisposed on said printer body for detecting an exposure position controlsignal recorded on a photographic film; film feed control means disposedon said printer body for controlling feeding of the photographic filmbased on the exposure position control signal detected by said detectingmeans; and printing means disposed on said printer body for varying anopening width of a mask which is used to print an image of a subject inan exposure area of the photographic film on a print paper, depending onsaid exposure position control signal.
 19. A photographic film printeraccording to claim 18, wherein said exposure position control signalcomprises an exposure area position signal and an exposure area sizesignal, and wherein said film feed control means comprises means forcontrolling feeding of the photographic film based on said exposure areaposition signal, and said printing means comprises means for varyingsaid opening width of the mask based on said exposure area size signal.20. A photographic film printer according to claim 18, wherein saidprinting means comprises means for feeding the print paper for a lengthcorresponding to an increase in said opening width at least when saidopening width is increased.
 21. A photographic film printer according toclaim 18, further comprising a negative feed sensor for detecting adistance the photographic film is fed independently of said exposureposition control signal, and a logic circuit receiving an output of saidnegative feed sensor for determining that said detecting means correctlydetected said exposure position control signal.